2021 Chevy Silverado 2500HD gas vs. diesel?

[deezler]

I bought my '03 2500HD with the gas 6.0L LQ4 mainly because I needed: rust free, low miles, that I could afford. 13k for my gasser w/ 88k miles instead of 20+ for a duramax (or cummins). My 6.0L runs great and has decent power, but the 4-speed 4L80 blows. Even with 4.10 gears it's not quick.

 

[rlneal]

I appreciate all the comments and opinions posted on this thread. My nephew and his wife (with a small hog operation plus jobs) are looking forward to buying a pickup in a year or two. She wants to get a diesel but I think a gas would be adequate enough for their needs. About 4 years ago, I bought a 2001 Chevy 2500HD diesel because my son was doing a landscaping business pulling a 7 ton dump trailer. I paid $14,000 for it and it had 140,000 miles on it so I think we got a great deal. Although, I did have to replace the leaking fuel injectors for $3000. Last year, he quit the landscaping business, sold the dump trailer, and my 97 Chevy 2500 gas died so now I am driving the diesel. And I love it! It does a great job pulling my 16 foot livestock trailer. But then, the 97 gas did a good job, also. All that to say, I don't really need the diesel anymore but I am not about to give it up.

I especially appreciate the comments about mileage of diesel vs. gas. The manufacturers will claim mileage numbers that appear to be similar diesel vs. gas. But I am sure that is running with no load and not fully loaded.

It is also interesting to note that the towing capacity of a 2001 Chevy 2500 HD diesel is the same as a 2001 Chevy 3500 HD diesel. But now, 20 years newer, a 3500HD has about double the towing capacity as compared to the 2500HD. Which may only be important if you are going to rent some excavating equipment and you hear the agent say, "I'm sorry. I cannot let you have that skid steer. But I can deliver it for you."

 

[4570Man]

That's correct. However, peace of mind is worth something too. Me, I get all tensed up when pulling a heavy load with a gas engine up a steep grade, listening to the engine roaring at 4000-4500 rpm with the tranny shifted down a couple gears to have enough power to get up the hill. And then hoping the brakes don't get too hot going down the other side. Pulling that same weight with the diesel, I'm relaxed and the truck seems relaxed - tach stays below 2000 rpm and tranny stays in overdrive. Just a seemingly effortless experience. And then going downslope, a little touch of the engine brake is all that's needed to keep the speed down.
I understand some people don't get stressed out when their engine/drivetrain is straining hard. I do. A relaxed towing experience is worth the price to me.

You wouldn’t make it far in my 6500 gas burner taking it easy. Drop all the gears it takes and hold the rpm high. It’s actually surprisingly toquey for a gas burner. 8.10 rear end gears helps. That being said if I ever find a Duramax I like I’m going to buy one. For one it’s 100 percent tax deductible for me and 2 with rapidly increasing fuel price my gas trucks are getting more expensive. And I tow almost every day.

 

[4570Man]

Right now, diesel is only $0.20 more than 87 octane E10 gasoline. Not a big spread. Of course, those numbers can change.

Gas will never be much cheaper than diesel although it will be cheaper. If diesel goes to $6 per gallon as implied by another poster gas will be $5.50. You’ll never see $6 a gallon diesel and $2.50 gas on the same day.

 

[blee03]

Once you own a diesel and pull 10,000-15,000 lbs... you’ll never go back. Even in the flatlands.

If you’ve never towed with a diesel, you don’t know what you’re missing so you’ll be happy with a gasser.

I daily drive mine. It’s a six cylinder pre-DEF model with a few mods. It’s a hoot to drive, puts a smile on my face almost every time

 

[ning]

What is the better choice for the 2021 Silverado 2500 HD? 6.6L gas or 6.6L diesel

I have the 6.0L gas engine now in a 2014 Silverado 2500 HD, but looking for extra power and an overall heavy duty machine. Does the 6.6L gas deliver a noticeable difference from the 6.0L?

Driving scenarios include:
- daily driver
- towing trailers up to 10,000 - 15,000 lbs
- snow plowing on private parking lot
- hot/humid summers and cold/snowy winters (Northern Ohio weather)

• daily driver :: gas wins, especially if the daily drives are short (more regens on diesel if not run as hard & long)
• towing trailers up to 10,000 - 15,000 lbs :: HOW OFTEN is the the clincher here. Just a few times a year? Gas - it'll manage. Every week? Diesel, it'll excel.
• snow plowing on private parking lot :: gas wins
• hot/humid summers and cold/snowy winters (Northern Ohio weather) :: IMO gas wins here, moreso if the daily drives are short in the winter

I've seen people make this choice based on towing when they only tow occasionally, and that's like my wife buying a car that'll seat 7 because twice a year we put more than 4 people in it. IMO it's absurd, we can just take two cars... (ok the real reason is the didn't want a small car haha)

 

[Username Taken]

• daily driver :: gas wins, especially if the daily drives are short (more regens on diesel if not run as hard & long)
• towing trailers up to 10,000 - 15,000 lbs :: HOW OFTEN is the the clincher here. Just a few times a year? Gas - it'll manage. Every week? Diesel, it'll excel.
• snow plowing on private parking lot :: gas wins
• hot/humid summers and cold/snowy winters (Northern Ohio weather) :: IMO gas wins here, moreso if the daily drives are short in the winter

I've seen people make this choice based on towing when they only tow occasionally, and that's like my wife buying a car that'll seat 7 because twice a year we put more than 4 people in it. IMO it's absurd, we can just take two cars... (ok the real reason is the didn't want a small car haha)

Then why do any of you own diesel tractors? Do as I say, not as I do??

Where have I run into that before?????

 

[crazyal]

Funny how so many people say "I cringe when I go up a hill and push my gasser to 4000 rpms". I get it, I'm the same way. Yet that same engine in a boat will run all day long at those same RMPs without anyone thinking twice. Boat engines have to meet a certain spec for their WOT. I think the engine has to be able to do 30 minutes at full throttle without doing any damage.

That being said get the diesel. Nothing like the noise of a diesel turbo spinning down after shutting off the engine. Life's too short to worry about a few bucks or what some eco warrior is going to think. That being said winter and plowing would probably push me into going gas. Occasional plowing wouldn't be a big deal but lots of push the pedal to the floor for 15 seconds, stop, back up, stop, and push it hard again is going to suck down a lot of diesel.

 

[deezler]

Gas will never be much cheaper than diesel although it will be cheaper. If diesel goes to $6 per gallon as implied by another poster gas will be $5.50. You’ll never see $6 a gallon diesel and $2.50 gas on the same day.

Well, not necessarily true. The refinery streams are totally different and there can easily be independent price effects as a result. Right after the low-sulfur mandate, there were plenty of times that diesel was 25-40% more expensive than gas.

 

[deezler]

Then why do any of you own diesel tractors? Do as I say, not as I do??

Where have I run into that before?????

As if we have a choice in the compact tractor range? What are you talking about here.